She hadn't gone far. In reality, Mackenzie never would. She had made promises. She broke promises. She intentionally pushed back plans based on promises, because they are not quite what she wants. And always, always, she would still get her way. It is who she is. Lucky b-tch.

So, sat at the table in the kitchen, the sounds of a child running around behind her in a pair of her heels (someone would pay for this) - she goes through piles of mail that she had yet to bother opening. Bills. Junk. More bills. Literally nothing of importance. Until she spots that specific handwriting she would never forget, postmarked from the very state in which she lives.

Her nose wrinkles in that same way it always does when she finds herself in an undesirable situation. This is not on her terms, and therefore must wait. So, she goes. She goes about her business, and does as she pleases, and it would be hours before she finally saunters her way back to that table, and envelope. It would be torn open carelessly, as though ripping off a band-aid. Really, that rather is what is happening. She reads.

Once.
Twice.
Three times.

A day lasts until it's chased away, but love lasts until the grave.

Oddly enough, there is no rage, nor sadness. Mackenzie finds herself in a peaceful state, unchanged from the moments and hours before. She doesn't know so much about love anymore, finding it difficult to give. Impossible, possibly. But she can care. And she can be happy. Or as happy as a vampire can be.

The short letter would be tucked away in the pocket of a jacket owned by another man, kept as a token of period of her unlife that had been defining and meaningful. And, when the nights may be long, or she needed reminding of the way she once was - she would find that jacket and the note, and take comfort.

ψ Dragging the launcher with a basket of pumpkins behind her, Khary stops in front of the door and loads a pumpkin into the device and then fires. The pumpkin, a bit on the ripe side due to the unseasonable heat, splatters all over the door, leaving stringy pumpkin entrails and seeds dripping down the wood. Grinning, she stabs a note on the door with a cheap steak knife. ψ

Mackenzie slinks up to her husband, walking two fingertips up his chest before taking a gentle hold of his chin and leaning up upon tip toe to place a kiss to him. "Your face smells like peppermint..."

"Congratulations! I see Mackenzie made an honest man out of you! Two words of sage advice. Rule #1 The Missus is always right.. Rule #2 Don't argue with the Missus Rule %3 If drunk or confused, refer to Rule $1." Drake hands Jack a bottle of Champagne and two tall glasses.

Camille is caught off guard, spinning quickly with her fingers balled into fists as she feels a hand rummaging through her pocket. Her arms swing freely, just barely missing the thief's face. Luckily. It seems he'll keep all of his teeth for at least one more day.Christ. The bubblegum is in the other pocket. Next time just ask, or you'll be making a unplanned trip to the dentist...

After pocketing 538$ of the 25,538$, she made her way to Haagen Dasz then to BNP Paribas. Yup...she couldn't keep that much money no matter how much the Louboutin's screamed at her from the shop windows. Damn her conscience! With a feigned smile, Livia handed over the giant wad of money to the teller and requested a transfer into Jack 'Batman' Horton's account. Hopefully next time he wandered the streets of Paris in search of pretty girls to spend his money on, he'd stop by her club. She might even comp him a bottle of water...

She had been restless as of late, unable to sleep. And what better way to rid herself of thoughts that plagued damaged psyche than to walk? There wasn't any...so she did. Past l'Hotel de Ville, across Pont d'Arcole that connected the 4th to Ile de la Cite. South on Rue d'Arcole until she reached Parvis Notre Dame, Place Jean-Paul deux.

It was then she remembered the Haagen-Dazs shop back on the corner, near the bridge. The wonderful crepes they made to accompany their amazing ice cream. And it was an especially warm day, too. Her heart swelled with elation at the thought of chocolate ice cream and crepes. Yes, she must imbibe.

Shoving her hand deeply into empty pants pocket, Livia frowned. She had left her money at home. Seriously? She was nearly melting! With a huff she retraced her route, when lo and behold, Bat-fvcking-man came into view. He would have money! Jack, I mean, Batman...was loaded!

The Czech woman slipped past tall frame, dipped slender fingers quickly into his pocket and withdrew a FAT roll of cash as she continued on towards the ice cream shop. Seriously...it was the size of a baseball. Brows furrowed over pale pools. How much money did he have on him? And why? She began to count the large bills, jaw-dropping as she did so...

Mackenzie stares at Jack as he butchers a song from a well-loved Disney movie. Now, it's not that she's very fond of the movie, or anything else that the Disney franchise tries to sell. She just... can't. Finally...

Drake shook his head sadly and he blushed beet red when his attempted steal on After Dark's Leader Jack Horton failed. Drake grinned sheepishly as he gave the coven leader a smack on his behind. "Next time! I will get some pccket lint!"

*nods* I didn't ask for names, details. You had said something about a dinner date, so I was just being polite and inquiring. *grins* Wouldn't want anyone to think I was so self absorbed I couldn't inquire how another was doing.

Welcome back Mr Horton glad to see you leader of after dark once again. I once was a member of that coven with Danica and you, and Mack. Glad to se you back in golden robes again, as Roman Bows his head in Respect to the Leader of AD.

I'm sure you'll look smashing. *smiles* Can I recommend a color for you to wear to dinner? *arches a brow but doesn't wait for him to answer* Crimson, maybe in a silk button down with a black dinner jacket. I really think that crimson is your color. *ponders* And change your name to Oliver...*because it's Oliver your face*

Mackenzie had merely been playing a game of grab-ąss, and to her delight... got so much more out of her Vampire. Grinning, she runs her thumb over the bills as she extracts them from his ridiculous thick wallet.

The last time I approached my leader hadn't gone well. He seemed neither approving nor disapproving. He didn't...anything. I hate not making an impression (doesn't have to be good or bad). This time, I plan on making him remember me. I don't actually have a plan. Gonna rock this.

I approach Jack with arms swinging back and forth, legs taking long, easy strides. "Jack! Good job on the promotion!" I do that snap thing followed by that finger-gun point thing, offer a large, cheesy smile then continue down the hall as if we were in an office building. It all went well, I think. Except I walk right into a pillar and do my best to become one with the dang thing.

Dear Jack,
It seems that even when I take some alone time, there is absolutely no escaping you. Today, you are the poster child of the Realm. What gives? I mean, I know you're Jack f*cking Horton and all... but, seriously? Billboards?
Sidenote: Batman is not with you on the Billboards. Coincidence?
Best,
Mackenzie

Mackenzie gives steps up beside Jack, not giving a care to the world of how she got into the Catacombs without actually being let inside. Patting to reinstated Leader's shoulder, she looks up at him, and gives him a small grin. "Nostalgic, isn't it?"

"Happy belated join, um," I scratch behind my ear. This guy had been a part of AD previously.

I frown, pursing my lips to one side of my face then to the other. "Let me try again. Happy belated re-re-re," I count the rejoins on my fingers but I think I missed some. Or over did it. "Re-re-joinment day." I nod once, grin and then stride off.

Wandering by the young woman saw a familiar face that was plastered to the billboards and quickly stuck a ribbon on his chest that said Congratulations PoTD on it. Smirking, she gave a small wink and skipped away.

Livia on her nightly stroll, stops quickly and squints her eyes. Was she seeing correctly? Was the infamous Jack Horton wearing gold robes? So much had changed in the last few days, so much she had missed. Stopping briefly, Livia nods her head to the man and smiles.

Mackenzie strolls up, garbed in a simple green sundress that falls to her knees, the heels of her Couture âleprechaunâ stilettos clacking on the ground beneath her. A basket in one hand and a bottle of Jameson in the other, she grins impishly and lifts her liquored hand to tip her green top hat before speaking in her thick Irish brogue. âBloody good day, this one is. Happy Saint Patricks, drink up!â With that, she sets the basket down and pulls out a matching green top hat akin to her own and plops it on your head before walking off again, weaving about.

Mackenzie walked about London and in passing, caught sight of Jack. Doing a double take, she took in his batman garb and could have sworn Christian Bale was hiding under that costume. Silly. Mr. Bale does not live in the Realm. That means... Jack. A snicker escaped her and she covered her mouth.

Mackenzie walked along the London streets whistling to herself, peering into every alleyway she passed. It was nights such as this that she found herself completely dissatisfied and listless when it came to the hunt since her inspiration had gone missing. Bored out of her mind, she sung in her head. Oh where, oh where did that Jackie boy go? Oh where, oh where could he be?

*She looked at the pillow and blinked, was it his? It was kind of a dusky pink so more his colour than hers and with a smile she handed it out to him* "I warned you about loitering on park benches... well I am busy, you are going to have to take responsibility and look after it! And don't you go and use the old 'I have been in hell' rubbish as an excuse!"

*Wandering up with a pillow half stuffed up her T-Shirt, the velvet tassels on each bottom corner hanging down Min pressed the back of one hand to her forehead, the other on her back in a classic pregnant woman pose. She sighed looking at Jack then fanned herself* "How can it be? I simply sat on the park bench last eve and this morning, poof! I think it will come soon, vampires have very short pregnancies you know..." *She smirked and dragging the large stuffed pillow out she hit him with it attempting to get him to smile*

~Looks at the gathered groupies, panting and screaming. Sighs as she tries to get through but alas the groupies have begun to toss their panties at Jack. Dodging the flying undergarments she simply waves from afar and shouts.~ "Welcome back!"

*Standing with mud caked knees, a shovel resting over her shoulder, dirt smudges adorning nose and forehead she gave a satisfied nod as she saw him then a knowing smile* "Knew you weren't there... Never stayed still long enough to get a drink out of you so there was no chance you were gonna lie there for all eternity"

Mackenzie had waited a few hours after hearing of his return before approaching him. Surely the man needed some space. Honestly, she didn't quite believe the words of her leader just yet either. Seeing was believing. Trudging forward, she followed her nose to her partner in crime and looked at him, tilting her head slightly as she studied him with dull eyes that, once satisfied, he was truly back, lit up back to their usual menacing glint that he was so used to. "Bloody hell. Brilliant to have you back."

Sitting at the Abraxas' kitchen table by the window, Tala's nose tickled and she then realized a familiar scent has returned to the realm. Shouting out to her husband, "HoooooNeeeey, Guess who's BaaAaack."

Mackenzie had just worked up the nerve to move forward with her plan. Walking through the halls of After Dark, her tiny hands pumped a super soaker full of water... with a highly concentrated lime green dye in it. Busting in on him, she gave no warning before ruthlessly spray him with the concoction, in turn dying his skin the bright green color. Once satisfied, she ceased fire and winked.

After their little tiff the previous day, Mackenzie was set on putting things right so that once again they could go and kill everything in sight like they so loved to do. After a special trip, she walked to the gates of After Dark and placed a package outside the entrance with 'For my Partner in Crime' sprawled on the top.
Opening it, durable black cotton is revealed. Lifting it up, it looks like a normal shirt until the sleeves fall out of their place. They're longer than usual. After a moment, you see it is a straight jacket, specially made for her insane friend. The buckles are made of white gold, each strip made of the same black cotton as the rest of the jacket. Only one design rests across the chest of it, a yellow bat... the official sign of Batman.

Ah...*She glances down, rubbing her arm.* Seems like Fleta's trick back in February didn't cure me totally. *Eyes widening, she looks up at Jack's face and quickly blurts* Not that I'm doing that again just *she sighs* With the sanctuary, the stress has been building up and my body couldn't handle it anymore.

*She steps back and playfully smacks his arm.* Don't hey me! You've been gone f.o.r.e.v.e.r! *Then the million questions in one breath begins* How are you? What did you do? You won't be leaving again, will you? Did you bring any souvenirs? Did you meet Passenger? *Her eyes light up* Did you take pictures?!

My Dearest Jack:
It's been a year, and I can't believe it. I'm the luckiest woman in the Realm and as long as I have you by my side, I always will be.
I love you with all that I am and all I will ever be.
Happy Anniversary my love....
Dannica

*Nods with an amused smile* "Life isn't bad, chasing puppies and pulling the wings off angels, what could be better?" *Grins and holds out a bowl* "Strawberry? Still trying to cram in my 5 a day and I can't live on vegetarians....."

~ My Dearest Jack:
Our first Valentines together, and I can hardly believe it. I've spent days scribbling notes here and there, attempting to describe how amazing you are and yet here I am, stumbling through my words - breathless. It's been almost a year since you walked into the Realm, and you still leave me breathless. You are my best friend, my soulmate, my after-life partner, my lover, my everything. I can't imagine a single moment without you, and the thought that I could've spent an eternity without you is almost more than I can bare. Know, that wherever you are, my heart beats with yours in time and that I am counting the seconds till I see you again. I love you. Happy Valentines Day my love. ~
Yours Eternally,
Dannica

*smiles as she walks up, looking as if she was up to something* "This is from your best-est-est friend ever!" *she stands on her tiptoes and press her lips against Jack's cheek, leaving a sloppy wet one* "Enjoy!" *giggles, bouncing a bit, then skips off*

*Smiles* Actually...yes. But it's one of those things you don't mind hearing again, and again, and again, and again. By the way *leans into whisper* you're sexy...and you're all mine *kisses his cheek*